Background [A] If you look at verse one of our scripture, you will find that Jesus was where? [1] He was at the home of one of the Chief Pharisees where he was having a Sabbath meal with Him. [2] What was a Jew allowed to do on the Sabbath? [a] They were not allowed to do any work [b] They could travel only a distance of 2000 paces [c] All cooking had to be done the day before [d] They were to rest – other than going to the synagogue to worship. [B] As was usually the case, the Pharisees were constantly watching Jesus and trying to find fault in his teaching and in the things he did

[C] In verse two we see that a man was there who had dropsy [1] He may have been one of the Pharisee’s family, or a servant, or he may have been placed there by the Pharisees to see what Jesus would do.

[D] Jesus knowing the minds of all men, asked the Pharisees, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? [1] They were unable to answer him. [2] Jesus healed the man

[E] Than Jesus asked the Pharisees, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things.

[G] Following this Jesus told them several Parable - we will be looking at the first in several weeks, tonight it is the second parable in this chapter that we want to take a look at.

Luke 14:16-24 16. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

[A] AS we have been doing we will take this parable apart verse by verse as we dissect it and talk about it.

Luke 14:16 6. Then said he unto him; A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

[A] Jesus said unto him [1] Numerous times in the scripture we find scriptures saying Jesus said and in a couple, He opened his mouth and taught them saying. [2] Jesus was a teacher – come from God to teach and preach. By and through his example he taught His disciples to do likewise. [3] We often hear it said that we must live the bible, or that we might be the only bible someone ever reads. [a] Both of these statements are true, but there are times, when we too need to open our mouths and teach things concerning the things of God. [b] 2 Timothy 4:2 2. Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [1-a] This verse tells us how and what we are to preach [a-1] Preach the word – the whole word, not just the parts that make us feel good [b-1] We are to preach in season, meaning that we are to preach when there has been a specified time to do so. [c-1] We are to preach out of season – meaning that we are to preach all the time, to everyone we can find to preach too [2-a] Our sermons are to: [a-1] Reprove – to re-teach – to build upon a person’s old knowledge [b-1] Rebuke – to bring a person’s sins out in the open and condemn them. [c-1] Exhort – to build someone up and brag on them [d-1] Everything is to be preached in love with longsuffering [e-1] We are to preach biblical doctrine, [c] It’s true that this verse was written to Timothy, a young preacher, but as a child of God each of you are preachers as well. – You preach by the way you live your life, buy the way you react to problems in your life, but also by the words that come out of your mouth.

[B] A certain Man [1] Whom is Jesus referring to in this Scripture? [a] This Certain man is God

[C] He prepared a great feast [1] What is this referring too? [a] The marriage supper of the lamb

[D] He invited many [1] What does this refer too? [a] It is Gods desire that all man confess their sins and follow Jesus for eternal life. [b] God has prepared a place for all who believe, unfortunately, there are just so many who refuse to believe in him.

Luke 14:17 17. And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden; Come; for all things are now ready.

[A] He sent his servant. [1] An invitation had already bee sent at an earlier time [2] This servant was sent at the time that the supper was ready.

[B] Questions [1] Who were those whom had been sent the invitation and were invited to the meal? [a] The Jewish people [b] God’s chosen people [2] Who were the ones who had carried the invitations to the Jews? [a] The prophets [3] Who was the servant that the Master sent out to proclaim that the meal was ready, and it was time to come? [a] Jesus [b] Jesus came to fulfill all the law and the prophets. His invitation was for all to come unto him and be saved. His words to the people was that the kingdom of God was among them, yet they refused him.

Luke 14:18 18. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

[A] Here Jesus uses common things to show that the messenger from God was refused. [1] They made excuses

[B] What Jesus is referring to here is the peoples belief and determination to follow the Law and the traditions of the Jews instead of following him and accepting what God had for them

[C] This is the same thing that is happening today, is it not? [1] This is a good lesson for you and I [2] If Jesus was spurned, can we expect any different treatment

[D] I bought a piece of Ground, and I must go and see it [1] When ever a man or woman puts their earthly treasure before Jesus they are not worthy of Him [2] Yet millions of people are more concerned about making a fortune and gathering wealth than they are about seeking first the kingdom of God

Luke 14:19 19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

[A] Another bought five yoke of Oxen [1] The same thing applies here [2] Things are more important than following God

[B] I have heard people say, [1] I’m ready to go, but I don’t want to go yet, [2] There is just too much I want to do before I go [3] I have a lot to see before I die

Luke 14:20 20. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

[A] What is more important then responding to the invitation and following Jesus?

[B] What is worth missing a chance of going to heaven?

[C] What these people are actually saying is, [1] I’m enjoying it her too much to want to go to heaven [2] I’m having too much fun to leave [3] Check back with me later, and than if I’m not to busy I go than.

Luke 14:21 21. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

[A] The servant came and showed his lord. [a] He told his master the excuses made by those who had been invited.

[B] The master being angry. [a] He was angry at the people who had slighted his invitation; [b] He was angry at those who had insulted him by neglecting his feast, [c] He was angry because they preferred their own personal gratification to his friendship and hospitality. [1] It is no wonder that God is angry with the wicked every day. [1-a] So foolish is the conduct of the sinner, [2-a] So trifling is his excuse for not repenting and turning to God

[C] Go out quickly. [a] The feast is ready. There is no time to lose. [1] God had everything prepared for his people [2] He desires to bring them Home Use [3] He wants to find many who are willing to come [b] The gospel is ready; time flies; and they who partake of the gospel must do it soon, [c] They who preach the Gospel must give diligence to it and proclaim the need for repentance and the need to hurry because time is short.

[D] The streets and lanes of the city. [a] Those first invited were the rich, who dwelt at ease in their own houses meaning the intended Jews, the chosen of God. [b] Those in the streets were the Gentiles. [c] Jesus delivered this parable to show the Jews that the Gentiles would be called into the kingdom of God. They despised the Gentiles, and considered them cast out and worthless, as they did those who were in the lanes of the city.

[E] The first invitations were delivered by the law and the Prophets after which God sent his only begotten son to invite the people personally – he was rejected

[F] God than told Jesus to return and to bring in the lame beggars and so on [a] Jesus sent the Holy Spirit – His Spirit to dwell in the believers [b] The Holy Spirit filled the believers and empowered them to continue to ask man to come to Jesus and be saved. –

Luke 14:22 22. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

[A] The Holy Spirit through willing men and women – continued to ask people to come to the meal [a] Some accepted [b] Some refused

[B] After all this time of inviting folks, there is still room and still a desire from to fill all the spaces at the table.

Luke 14:23 23. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

[A] Go out into the highways and hedges [a] Go into the uttermost parts of the earth, [b] Send your spirit throughout the earth preaching repentance and Jesus Christ

[B] Compel them to come [a] Work at it , encourage it beg if necessary

[C] Bring them in that my house might be filled [a] I can’t read this without much sadness in my heart [b] I can see Jesus standing before the Father and tears streaming down their faces, [c] How hard it must be to have prepared such a feast and so few want to come and enjoy it. [d] How hard it must be to look down on the scars of Jesus knowing the pain he suffered, and know that people don’t care [e] I really don’t know why God tarries. I really can’t understand why he don’t just give up and take what he has and destroy the rest – but - he wants his table filled.

[D] Someday, man will cry out to enter but they will hear [a] There is no more room [b] Heaven is full [c] Not another one can be saved. [d] No matter what their prayers, or tears, or sighs, they cannot be saved. [e] Every place is filled [f] Every seat is occupied. [g] The door is shut [1] That will be a sad day indeed for those who did not accept the invitation when they had a chance [2] Fro those who did, there will be joy unspeakable as they dine at the table of God

Luke 14:2525. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

[A] The parable ends with a warning [1] None of those men who were bidden shall taste of my supper. [2] Those who had the chance and refused it will suffer for it [3] Those who refused the invitation will be cast into hell [4] There will be no second chance.